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Scalzo: YSU boots Deonta Tate off team

(1/1)

IAA Fan:
By Joe Scalzo

scalzo@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

On Monday afternoon, the Youngstown State coaches brought senior linebacker Deonta Tate into the football offices and told him he was no longer part of the team.

“I jus gt kicked off da team wow,” he wrote on his Twitter account. “Had fun YSU Sports but I guess this is where we end.”

Tate’s tweets — he did not respond to an interview request on Tuesday — indicated he was surprised by the decision, and that it wasn’t mutual.

YSU coach Eric Wolford said Tuesday the decision came after several coaches spoke to Tate several times over an extended period of time.

“Basically, we had to make a decision we felt like was best for the team,” Wolford said. “In a roundabout way, if we’re all out in the Atlantic Ocean and everybody’s got an oar in their hand, they need to be rowing. And if you’re not rowing, we’ll try to help you.

“That’s what it comes down to. You’re either with us or you’re not.”

Tate, who was recruited out of Palmetto, Fla., by Jon Heacock, started 17 of his first 26 games before falling out of favor last season. He started the first eight games of the 2010 campaign but was replaced by Dom Rich for the final three.

Tate played sparingly this season, recording two tackles in six games as a backup linebacker and special teams player.

Wolford said Tate will remain on scholarship this year.

“He can still do what he needs to do,” Wolford said.

Tate’s departure continues Wolford’s radical reshaping of the roster since taking over in December 2009.

Of the 92 players on YSU’s roster, only 21 (23 percent) were part of the program under Heacock.

Of those 21, 11 have started a game either on offense or defense this season and three others are key special teams contributors.

Most of the Heacock holdovers are on offense, including starters Kurt Hess (QB), Jamaine Cook (RB), Andrew Radakovich (LT), D.J. Main (RT), David Rogers (TE) and Carson Sharbaugh (TE).

“I’ve said from Day 1, these are all our guys,” Wolford said. “It’s our team, our community. It doesn’t matter who recruited who. We don’t care about that.

“It’s about winning and losing. I think it’s hard for guys who’ve played around here that have played by default, then all the sudden somebody comes in [and takes the spot].”

So far this season, Wolford has played 21 redshirt, transfer or true freshmen.

Four true freshmen have started, as have three transfer freshmen that were not with the program last year.

Last year, 13 freshmen played, including five starters.

“We play the best available player,” he said. “If there’s a faster car, you better drive the faster car.”

ysubigred:

--- Quote from: IAA Fan on October 26, 2011, 06:56:56 AM ---By Joe Scalzo

scalzo@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

On Monday afternoon, the Youngstown State coaches brought senior linebacker Deonta Tate into the football offices and told him he was no longer part of the team.

“I jus gt kicked off da team wow,” he wrote on his Twitter account. “Had fun YSU Sports but I guess this is where we end.”

Tate’s tweets — he did not respond to an interview request on Tuesday — indicated he was surprised by the decision, and that it wasn’t mutual.

YSU coach Eric Wolford said Tuesday the decision came after several coaches spoke to Tate several times over an extended period of time.

“Basically, we had to make a decision we felt like was best for the team,” Wolford said. “In a roundabout way, if we’re all out in the Atlantic Ocean and everybody’s got an oar in their hand, they need to be rowing. And if you’re not rowing, we’ll try to help you.

“That’s what it comes down to. You’re either with us or you’re not.”

Tate, who was recruited out of Palmetto, Fla., by Jon Heacock, started 17 of his first 26 games before falling out of favor last season. He started the first eight games of the 2010 campaign but was replaced by Dom Rich for the final three.

Tate played sparingly this season, recording two tackles in six games as a backup linebacker and special teams player.

Wolford said Tate will remain on scholarship this year.

“He can still do what he needs to do,” Wolford said.

Tate’s departure continues Wolford’s radical reshaping of the roster since taking over in December 2009.

Of the 92 players on YSU’s roster, only 21 (23 percent) were part of the program under Heacock.

Of those 21, 11 have started a game either on offense or defense this season and three others are key special teams contributors.

Most of the Heacock holdovers are on offense, including starters Kurt Hess (QB), Jamaine Cook (RB), Andrew Radakovich (LT), D.J. Main (RT), David Rogers (TE) and Carson Sharbaugh (TE).

“I’ve said from Day 1, these are all our guys,” Wolford said. “It’s our team, our community. It doesn’t matter who recruited who. We don’t care about that.

“It’s about winning and losing. I think it’s hard for guys who’ve played around here that have played by default, then all the sudden somebody comes in [and takes the spot].”

So far this season, Wolford has played 21 redshirt, transfer or true freshmen.

Four true freshmen have started, as have three transfer freshmen that were not with the program last year.

Last year, 13 freshmen played, including five starters.

“We play the best available player,” he said. “If there’s a faster car, you better drive the faster car.”

--- End quote ---

I see Tate wasn't taking english at YSU  :o

penguinpower:
Interesting.  Maybe we will play defense now?

ysubigred:

--- Quote from: penguinpower on October 26, 2011, 01:15:29 PM ---Interesting.  Maybe we will play defense now?

--- End quote ---

 fb Been playing defense but only about 30 minutes worth  ???

Pizza:
A pretty good kid. And a good LB at the 1-AA level.

But he is a senior. And seniors (especially Heacock recruits), get put on the bench for the younger Wolford guys. Not right or wrong, just the way it is. Kids get a real life reality check for the first time in their life in college. It's part of of the educational process. Happens in real life every day. Best to learn it early.

But these kids unfortunately look at it as being "dissed".....or whatever they call it nowadays. The truth is, you aren't being "dissed". You just aren't in managements' plans at this time.

Move on....and exceed somewhere else in some other endeavor. That's why you have been studying for the last 4-5 years.

Get it ????

Or did you spend the last 4-5 years "posing" around campus, with your YSU sweatsuit on? Trying to pick up girls instead of studying at the library?

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